section7mfu | Oui, Paris - Song Story 3/23

The Prompt I Love Paris In The Springtime
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The flight attendant watched from the galley, her attention focused on the handsome American with the dark hair and eyes. His traveling companion, the blond, was also attractive but less charming, and she did like charming men.

“Celeste, did you hear me?” Claudette had a trolley full of drinks ready to disperse to the passengers in the business section. The flight to Paris was a long overnight affair, and most of them would be sleeping soon. This would be the last round of refreshments for a while.

“Oh, yeah, sorry... I was just enjoying the view.” Celeste indicated the two men in Row D. Okay, now Claudette understood. “Oh yes, they certainly do make the long hours a little easier to take. I heard them talking, the blond has an accent of some sort... very sexy.” Celeste was still focused on the brunet.

Claudette pushed her cart down the aisle, delivering to each person the drinks previously ordered. A few were already getting drowsy and requesting pillows and blankets. When she arrived at Row D, Napoleon Solo accepted his scotch with a smile that made the stewardess blush. She nodded her head towards the other man, as if to ask Napoleon if he would relay her delivery.

“Illya...’ Already napping and with his head turned towards the window, he didn’t hear his friend’s voice. “I guess we should just let him sleep, he gets pretty grouchy when you wake him up.” Again with the smile. Celeste caught up to Claudette with a blanket and pillow in tow.

“Here’s something to help you get through the rest of the flight, just in case you want to get a little shut eye before Paris.” Celeste figured it was as good a line as any to gain an introduction to this pair. Napoleon accepted her offerings with a grin and a wink. He loved flying. He loved stewardesses.

“Thank you, yes I will try and get some sleep. As you can see my friend here has already started his beauty treatment.” That brought a giggle from both women, neither of them able to deny that the blond looked entirely too handsome as he slept. There was no justice in the world for a man to be able to look that good sleeping.

“Well, you just let us know if you need anything else Mr...” The pause was effective.

“Solo. Napoleon Solo, and that is my business partner, Illya Kuryakin.” That brought a small gasp from Claudette; she recognized that name and as she looked more closely...

“Illya? I think I know him, we went to the Sorbonne together. He was all alone in those days, and so much skinnier than now. I cannot believe I didn’t recognize him sooner.” Napoleon was stunned, he had never before encountered someone from Illya’s past. With all of the conversation going on, Illya stirred and turned towards the noise. He opened his eyes slowly, taking in the sight of his partner talking to two stewardesses. Business as usual...

“What have I missed?” As he asked the question his eyes landed on Claudette, causing him to sit up straighter at the memory of a young girl whose kindness towards him had made life in Paris more tolerable, more... loving.

“Claudette? Is it really you?” She nodded and smiled, reaching across Napoleon to embrace Illya as he stood and leaned in towards her.

“Oui, yes... How many years has it been?” Illya was smiling broadly, causing Napoleon to wonder just how well these two had known each other. Celeste was taking it all in as well, her hopes high for something more as she considered the possibility of a double date; certainly Claudette could arrange it.

“Too many years, and now that we’ve met again...’ Illya was already figuring out when he would have time to meet up with his long ago lover. What if she was married? “Are you free to ... can we have dinner, perhaps?”

Claudette was pleased. There had been other men since her affair with the Russian student with the intoxicating blue eyes, but no one had quite the same effect on her heart.

“Oui, that would be fabulous. We have much to catch up on.’ She caught a glimpse of some other passengers who were still waiting for their drinks. “When we get to Paris we will make our plans. Now, get back to sleep, I know how much you love it.” With a wink she resumed her drinks delivery with Celeste close behind. She’d convince her friend to set her up with the American if he didn’t ask her out himself.

Napoleon turned to his friend, a thousand questions circling in his brain. First and foremost...

“So, friend of yours?” A sly smile couldn’t hide itself as he said those words. Illya smirked, and Napoleon thought he might have blushed a little.

“It was a long time ago, my friend. ** She was very kind, and her family was also kind to me when I felt very lonely and needed to be included somewhere that had some warmth to it. Other than that... I will say that we were close.”

And that was all that Illya told Napoleon, which came as no surprise. It was enough to get this small glimpse into his friend’s life before UNCLE.

Illya took his pillow and was back to sleep, but not before thoughts of Claudette and Paris filled his mind and dictated his dreams.

**Not Alone and Tired of Midnight Blue